peeps

I did a bit of DIY lately,  I finally put a light above the table 
with a long cable and a bare silver bulb light, 
why on earth the constructors put two lights in one side
of the room and none on the other it's a mystery to me.
It's practical because it's not heavy also it's simple.
I like simplicity.

The cushion and the mobile are from At swim-Two-Birds.

the days on instagram

Argh! yes a collage here too! 
I promise I won't over do it.

1-2-3 'Synonym' journal: on my desktop; opening page; with my breakfast.

4 le chat waiting for her destiny ( to finish it or not? to make more or not?)

5 my good coffee, lemon and poppy seed cake (recipe from here but with variations)

6 disappearing

Have a fine weekend

update: these images are from my old instagram you'll find them on my flickr

yesterday

Sunday, rain, at home. 

The table half set for lunch.

circles

I've been working on new necklaces: 
they are shorter, on wire and they close with a clasp.
I like that some are asymmetric.

to catch a dream

The magical dream-catchers made by 
Séverine Boumati Laforge 
following the Native Americans tradition and twisting 
it in a modern leather version are now in my web-shop.

here.

Check out her new stylish range of leather goods on request: SBL

Her e-shop will be opening soon. 

Update: the white dream catchers were sold out yesterday, 
they are available to pre-order just send me an email. 
Thank you 

kettle's yard

This place gives me such a sense of peace, beauty and tranquillity. 

Everything in there is so powerful, the objects seems alive.

I've been twice this weekend and that's because they are more relaxed 
about taking pictures (before it wasn't allowed).

I have a new camera (my first DSLR), I've chosen a Nikon. 
I only want to use it in manual mode but I have to learn how to use it. 
Being lazy, I tend not to read the instruction manual and so I got 
stuck for ages wondering where the various functions are, it took 
me a while to realise that the diaphragm command was an anonymous  
washer ( is that the correct name in English?). 
Anyway I guess the best way to learn is to use it. 
My first attempts were taken in that wonderful house so excuse 
the quality of the images.

Have a nice beginning of the week.

More on my Flickr.

Kettle's Yard

even if I'm silent

I've been updating the shop, although there are still more items to be added.

Today snail mail: I've received the beautiful book from Hermine. 

The garland is from Mi-avril.

The shawl is in the shop.

wisdom can come from all kinds of random places

Hello all,

I'm back from London, the pop up shop is over and surely 
I can say that it has been a learning curve for me 
(and for my daughter too...).

It was great to finally meet some of my readers and bloggers, 
to hear your feedback and words of support and most of
 all it was great to see all these beautiful objects, I selected for
 the occasion, under one concrete roof! 

Surely a good kick for me to organise another pop up next year.

I'd like to thanks all the people who support me and this project
 but most of all my daughter Anita (age 7) which was a real 
darling and made us (parents) really proud surprising us with 
her ability to run the cafeteria!

Also a big hug and thank you to Jo for being such a wonderful 
helper and for making me the happy owner of one of her pileas! 

A big thank you for all of you who made it despite the beautiful 
sunny day on Saturday and the heavy rain on Sunday! and to 
all of you that couldn't make it but sent me messages, emails, 
linked, talked, posted about it and so on : THANKS!!!

Many of you asked me if I have the intention to do a pop up on line,
I will.

Watch this space.

Head to my Flickr to see pics of the pop up, I'll add even more soon. 

I also put loads on Instagram find me as AT_KNOTS.

*the title of this post was taken from the latest issue of 
Frankie magazine I've got from Elisabeth, thanks Elisabeth! 

*the fuzzy pic below is on Instagram.

 

last interview

I've been asked by some of the contributors of this first knots collective whether I had the intention to interview myself...I said: " no, you do it if you like". And so they sent me a couple of questions each.... 
I've  decided not to put pictures of myself but of the latest things I've been working on ( like a mini collection), the model is my friend Aya, (who kindly accepted to pose for me although she doesn't like to do so!). Thank you Aya.

What motivated you to do the pop up shop or where did the idea come from?

I always wanted to do something like that, when I was a kid I used to get a cardboard box, set up my little stall and sell the potholders I crocheted to the old ladies in the neighbourhood.

However, the idea grew stronger on me after a short but intense visit to Antwerp and the Atelier Solar Shop last year. That place was exactly my idea of perfect shop and shopping experience: so relaxed and friendly, full of beautiful handmade things, a well minded vintage selection and a cafeteria. The motivation behind it was to organise something different than what you usually see in London; there are many makers and designers there but there is little deviation from what I perceive as “British taste”. The main idea was to put together a bunch of European Designers and Makers that handmade what they sell, as well as adding some vintage findings: part of what I have been doing almost everyday (finding and collecting old stuff) since I was a teenager.

Is there any artist or designer or work of art you've been particularly inspired by lately?

I will be forever inspired by Louise Bourgeois; not only for her art but for her way of life and determination.

In the blog world I find very inspiring Maria Alexandra Vettese, aka MAV. I like her sense of aesthetics, the fresh approach she has on things, her ethics. I admire the fact that she has remained humble despite her success. 

I tend to get inspired by the impression that colours leave on me.

What is your favourite moment of the day?

When I can finally sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and do nothing else but taste my coffee. I also love nights in my studio room working and listening to the radio when everybody else is fast asleep.

What do you like most about living in England?

It’s dynamic, there’s little bureaucracy, it is quite tolerant.

I also love the British sense of humour, is very similar to mine (I was often misunderstood in Italy but here people actually laugh when I say something funny).

What's your favourite season?

Autumn.

How will your life look like in 10 years’ time?

I have no idea. I get pretty paranoid when I think about the future, so I tend not to think about it.

What's your favourite spot in your house / city / world?

The garden/ Fitzbillies Café in Cambridge/ near my family.What is your favourite smell?

The memory of the smell of my daughter when she was a baby: when she was asleep she smelt of freshly baked bread and we used to call her “panetto” (small bread).

I like the smell of fresh air.

You are an excellent crafter Alessandra, where do your skills come from?

My skills come from different experiences: I started to knit and crochet when I was 6 years old, then had my first sewing machine at the age of 9; my mother excelled in these skills and was very patient while teaching me. All her friends where either knitters or crafters in some way and I used to nag them a lot to teach me what they knew in terms of crafts. My father was an amateur painter and I spent a lot of time watching him painting and going with him to local painting competitions. He also was very good with DIY and he taught me how to use lots of tools. When I was 14 years old I went to a girls’ only school where there were many courses related to women’s crafts; however, I found it so boring that I quit and started skateboarding instead!

I eventually studied Fine Arts and took a degree in Painting. I worked with my brother for a little while in the field of Antique Building Restoration, then as an antique furniture restorer and decorator and finally as a prop designer in theatres.

I think this also comes down to genes: both my grandmothers were seamstresses and my paternal grandfather was an iron smith whose work had an artistic streak.

What era/decade are you most inspired by, in terms of design and lifestyle?

1920’s for the impeccable style, 1940’s for the ingenious ways of survival, 1950’s when the best design was created.
Is there a talent you don't possess that you wish you did?

Playing an instrument.

Which book was the last that made a deep impression on you and why?

An art book on Christian Boltanski works. Because his images say more than million words.

Describe your style.

Granny meet tomboy.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

What spare time? ;D ...sometimes I give myself a day off and I go to see exhibitions or museums. In the evening I usually knit and watch a film at the same time.

What are your favourite food, music, and film?

I like simple food, I have many favourites but if I have to choose one then it will be “pappa al pomodoro”. Again with music I have a broad taste and interests in different styles; lately I’m listening to a lot of pop: Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Radiohead, Bill Callahan, Yo la tengo, Dirty Projectors, Panda Bear, but a lot of classical music and blues too. All time favourite film is Manhattan.

What part of your creative process do you enjoy the most?

When I’m actually realise the idea…hence making.

What would be your dream home?

A cottage near the seaside with a big garden.

Which places would you like to visit the most?

The Scottish Highlands and Islands, The Balcans, Japan, travelling around USA and Canada.

 

Andrea Paulicelli of mamadesignlab | fontable

The first time I met Andrea he was doing an aerial with his skateboard on one of the first Italian half-pipes near Milan, we were young teenager then and we shared the same passion: skateboarding. More than 20 years later we found out that we share the same passion for design and crafts and so now we are collaborating on a project (will show you about soon).

Also Andrea, keeps skateboarding (and surfing and snowboarding with the same energy of a 14 years old) I don't any more...but I wasn't a poser! ;^)

Who are you?

My name is Andrea Paulicelli I'm a designer and a creative director my studio is mamadesignlab based in Milano Italy.

Describe yourself in three words
friendly, passionate, tenacious.
As a child you were?
cute…. as you can see in the image….
I didn't play much, but I loved to build useful and useless objects using recycled materials.

When you wake up in the morning...? 

Caffe', shower, music, bicycle. Always trying to think something positive
When you go to sleep...? 

Usually around 1am ,5am... no routine. I try to live the moment so it's always in a different way…

What inspire you?  

Everyday life experience spontaneously and unexpectedly.

Your home is?

Small, empty, sunny, cosy, warm.
Your working space is?
big, crowded, dark, sometimes unfriendly, cold.

How do you relax?
skateboarding, surfing when is possible, listening jazz, playing saxophone.
You admire?
people that are able to follow a dream without loosing the link with the reality
Favourite things?
Skateboarding.
Best place you have ever been?
Sri Lanka.
Best food you have ever tasted? 

Fried tofu in Kyoto.

What's your dream? 

Stop dreaming and wake up…. :)

The oddest or funny thing you ever did?
...

Thank you Andrea.

At the pop up shop not only you'll find the product of our collaboration,and Fontable designs, you will also find Andrea in person!

Mamadesignlab

Fontable